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(11) | EP 1 842 966 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC |
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| (54) | NON-RETURN BAG AND SPRING CLAMP FOR THE COLLECTION AND ISOLATION OF ANIMAL EXCREMENT |
| (57) The invention relates to non-return bag and spring clamp for the collection and isolation
of animal excrement. The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises a disposable bag (1) and a spring clamp (10) which can be connected
to, and separated from one another as desired by the user. According to the invention,
the upper edges (2) of the bag (1) are folded inwards and sealed with longitudinal
welds (3 and 4) such as to form a longitudinal hole (5) in the upper part of the bag
(1). The lateral edges of the bag are sealed with another weld (6) such as to form
the body of the bag (1). Moreover, the end part (7) of the upper inwardly-folded edges
(2) are sealed with one or more welding points (8) except for at one non-sealed through
part (9), such that excrement (14) can enter the body of the bag (1), but cannot leave
same. The spring clamp comprises two arms (11) and two guide legs (13), each of the
legs (13) extending from one of the arms (11). The guide legs (13), which are introduced
into the abovementioned longitudinal hole (5), come into contact with the excrement
collection and isolation bag (1) and are used to handle same. The aforementioned arms
(11) are linked together at a connection point (12) in the form of a spring which
can be gripped by the user. In addition, the arms (11) can be joined and closed with
the application of pressure from the hand against the resistance of the spring (12)
and returned to their initial position upon release of said pressure owing to the
spring effect provided by the arm connection point (12) which separates the arms.
In this way, the bag can be opened or closed by actuating the clamp with the hand
such as to open or close same respectively. |
Object of the invention
[0001] The present invention is designed to enable animal excrement within reach of the user to be collected and at the same time isolated from the exterior in a simple and practical manner so that at no time does it enter into contact with the user of the device.
Background to the invention
[0002] The present invention arises in response to the user's requirement to collect and isolate solids without at any time entering into contact with the solids collected.
[0003] It is common practice for people owning a domestic pet (dogs or cats for example) to be required to collect the excrement deposited by their animals when walking with them in public places.
[0004] This is a civic procedure which is both a duty and a necessity for those persons keeping domestic pets and who take them for walks in public thoroughfares.
[0005] Nevertheless, the task of collection and subsequent disposal of these residues and excrement deposited by domestic pets, is, in addition to obviously being a disagreeable and thankless and, on occasion, particularly awkward task, the user runs the risk of becoming soiled with the material when collecting it, and also needs to isolate the material following collection.
[0006] Another similar circumstance may occur when proceeding to collect any object deemed to be delicate and requiring isolation from the exterior in order to ensure that it remains unaltered following collection (samples for forensic police purposes for example).
[0007] The device which is the object of this invention, resolves this problem as it enables solid objects within the reach of the user to be collected and, in addition, to be immediately isolated following collection. All of which is carried out in a simple manner convenient for the user.
Summary of the invention
[0008] The Non-return bag and spring clamp for the collection and isolation of animal excrement is characterised in that it comprises a disposable bag and a spring clamp both of which elements can be connected to or separated from one another as desired by the user.
The bag is provided with upper edges which fold inwards and are sealed with longitudinal welds such as to form a longitudinal hole in the upper part of the bag and the lateral edges are sealed with another weld such as to form the body of the bag, and the end part of the upper inwardly- folded edges are sealed with one or more welding points, except for at one non-sealed through part such that excrement can enter the body of the bag but cannot leave same.
[0009] The spring clamp comprises two arms and two guide legs with each of the guide legs extending from one of the arms and the guide legs enter into contact with the excrement collection and isolation bag and are used to handle same, placing it in the longitudinal hole, with the arms linked together at a connection point in the form of a spring and which may be gripped by the user's hand with the arms entering into contact with the user's hand and the arms being joined and closed by the application of pressure of said hand against the resistance of the spring, returning to their initial position on release of pressure of the users' hand, owing to the same spring effect provided by the arm connection point which separates the arms, and in this way the bag can be opened or closed by actuating the clamp with the user's hand such as to open or close same respectively.
[0010] These and other characteristics will emerge more clearly in the following detailed description, accompanied by six pages of explanatory drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment which is mentioned for illustrative purposes but which does not, however, limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
Drawings
[0011]
Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of the bag part of the device.
Figure 2 shows the type of spring clamp
Figure 3 shows the overall arrangement of the device with the bag and the spring clamp.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the general operation of the device.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0012] In accordance with the object of the present invention, the device for animal excrement collection is designed to enable the collection of excrement within reach of the user and at the same time to isolate it from the exterior in a simple manner convenient for the user.
[0013] The device comprises a bag, the general composition of which appears in figure 1. Said bag (1) is provided with upper edges (2) which are folded inwards, as may be seen in figure 1, and sealed with longitudinal welds (3) and (4) such as to form a longitudinal guiding hole(5).
[0014] The lateral edges of the bag (1) are sealed with another weld (6) such as to form the body of the bag (1).
[0015] The end part (7) of the upper inwardly-folded edges (2) is also sealed with one or more welding points (8) except for at one non-sealed central through part (9), such that solids may enter the body of the bag but cannot leave same (1).
[0016] The device also comprises a spring clamp (10) the type of which is indicated in figure 2. The spring clamp (10) comprises two arms (11) and two guide legs (13) each one of the guide legs (13) being an extension of the arms (11) and the arms (11) being linked together at a connection point (12) in the form of a spring.
[0017] The spring clamp may be gripped by the user's hand by the arms (11) and may be closed by pressure of said hand against the resistance of the spring of the connection (12) as indicated in the arrow in figure 2, returning to its initial open position upon the release of pressure from the user's hand, owing to the same spring effect provided by the arm connection point (12), as may be seen in figure 2. It is also provided with guide legs (13), in order to be introduced through the longitudinal holes (5) of the bag (1) (figure 1).
[0018] The bag and the spring clamp are arranged and deployed in the manner indicated in figure 3. The bag (1) opening is oriented downwards (in the direction of the excrement to be collected) and the guide legs (13) of the spring clamp are introduced through the longitudinal hole of the bag (5) with the final arrangement as indicated in figure 3.
[0019] The device in operation is as indicated in figures 4, 4' and 4". In accordance with figure 4, the excrement (14) is covered by the bag opening (1) with the opening oriented downwards (in the direction of the excrement to be collected) and with the guide legs (13) of the spring clamp inserted in the longitudinal holes (5) of the bag as has been explained with figure 3.
[0020] Having covered the solid with the bag(1) the hand holding the spring clamp, applies pressure to said clamp as may be seen in figure 4', thus closing the bag (1) opening, ensuring that the excrement (14) remains enclosed inside the bag.
[0021] Having turned the device over, thus ensuring that the excrement (14) falls into the interior of the bag (1) by means of the through part (9) where there is no weld and reaching its final position in the body of the bag (1) according to the route indicated by the arrow (figure 4").
The bag (1) with the excrement (14) inside is then separated from the spring clamp (10) by removing the guide legs (13) from the longitudinal guide holes (5), and disposed of in a suitable place by the user (waste bins, insulation chamber etc.) the spring clamp (10) may be used again with a new bag following the same procedure.
[0022] The device shown may present configuration and components more pertinent to such functions. The components described may be used or any other components suitable for carrying out the same type of task.
[0023] The essential nature of the invention may be implemented with other embodiments which differ in details only from the example given, and which will be subject to protection. This invention may also be carried out with the most appropriate means, components and accessories with such components being substituted with other technically equivalent components, all of which remain within the scope of the claims.
1. Anti-return and spring clamp bag device for collection and isolation of animal excrement
characterised in that it comprises a disposable bag (1) and a spring clamp (10) in which both elements
may be joined or separated from one another as desired by the user.
2. Non -return bag and spring clamp bag for the collection and isolation of animal excrement
according to claim 1 characterised in that the upper edges (2) of the bag (1) fold inwards and are sealed with longitudinal
welds (3 and 4) so that they form a longitudinal hole (5) in the upper part of the
bag (1) and with the lateral edges of the bag (1) sealed with another weld such as
to form the body of the bag (1), and the end part (7) of the upper inwardly-folding
edges (2) of the bag (1) are sealed with one or more welding points (8) except for
at one non-sealed through part (9) such that excrement (14) can enter the body of
the bag (1) but cannot leave same.
3. Non-return bag and spring clamp bag for the collection and isolation of animal excrement
according to claim 1 characterised in that the spring clamp (10) comprises two arms (11) and two guide legs (13) with each of
these guide legs (13) being an extension of one of the arms (11) and the guide legs
(13) being those which enter into contact with the bag (1) for collection and isolation
of excrement for its handling, placing it in the longitudinal hole (5), with the arms(11)linked
together at a connection point (12) in the form of a spring and which may be gripped
in the user's hand and the arms (11)may be closed by application of pressure from
the hand against the resistance of the spring of the connection (12) and returned
to their initial position upon release of said pressure owing to the spring effect
provided by the arm connection point (12) which separates the arms thus permitting
and ensuring that the bag (1) can be opened or closed by actuating the clamp (10)
with the user's hand such as to open or close same respectively.